Administration vaccinates 12 pc population of adults in district, so far; target to complete in two and half years!

Aurangabad, May 6:

The poor speed of vaccination drive in the district is worrying the administration. So far, 3.78 lakh citizens (from rural and urban) had taken their first dose of vaccine, and 74,921 had taken their second dose. The percentage is 11.51 pc and 2.28 pc respectively of the total population of the district. In addition, the target is to administer the vaccine to 32.87 lakh citizens of age 18 to 44 years. Hence, it is feared that if the vaccination is continued at the present speed then it would take two and a half years to achieve the given target of vaccination in the district.

It may be noted that the vaccination drive started in the city in January 2021. The figures of the total number of vaccinated persons reveal that an average of 70,000 to 75,000 citizens was administered vaccine each month, till April-end. From May 1, the vaccination drive for citizens above 18 to 44 years had started in the district. The population of this age group is 32.87 lakh in the district. Hence, if one lakh persons are vaccinated every month then it would take 33 months (two and a half years or more) to complete this target. There is a dire need to increase the speed of vaccination, maintain the supply of vaccines and establish permanent vaccination centres in each ward. Presently, the vaccination schedule had collapsed since May 1 as the strength of persons registering on the app is more than the available stock of vaccines in store.

Of the 32.87 lakh population, 50 percent of citizens are from rural parts of the district. There are 1,372 villages that are not even aware of the vaccination. In the city, 13 vaccination centres are functioning to give first and second doses of the vaccine and while nine centres give vaccines to citizens of age 18 to 44 years. In the rural sector, there are only 12 centres to give vaccination for this age group.

The district vaccination officer Dr. Vijay Wagh said, " As per data, 150-200 registered citizens are given vaccine through 12 centres in the rural parts of the district daily. The vaccination could be continued for three more days as per the available stock. The number of centres will be increased on the availability of vaccines in the stock."